It will be a battle between MVC opponents when the Illinois State Redbirds (11-9, 4-3 MVC) welcome the Indiana State Sycamores (11-8, 3-4 MVC) to Redbird Arena. The game will air on CBS Sports Network at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 27, 2019.
Indiana State Sycamores vs. Illinois State Redbirds Free Prediction
In the Sycamores’ last matchup, they beat the Valparaiso Crusaders, 70-53. The Sycamores had a turnover percentage of 12.3 (better than their season average of 17.6) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.569 (above their season average of 0.493). With 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting, Tyreke Key was the game’s leading scorer.
The Redbirds were beaten by the Bradley Braves in their last game, 85-68. Bradley’s 0.667 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Illinois State, who had a mark of 0.434. The Braves’ mark was above their season average of 0.474, while the Redbirds’ was below their season average of 0.508. Illinois State’s Milik Yarbrough had a solid performance, leading both teams in scoring with 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
The aggressive Indiana State offense looks poised to dominate from the foul line. The Sycamores rank 56th in the country with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.275, while Illinois State is among the country’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 210th-ranked FTA rate of 0.237).
After the Redbirds won two out of three matchups against the Sycamores last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, Illinois State won 77-70. Illinois State had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.554 vs. 0.403). Indiana State, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (21.3 vs. 9.1).
Indiana State Sycamores at Illinois State Redbirds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Illinois State, ATS Winner – Illinois State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Illinois State ranks 108th in three pointers attempted per game (23.9) while Indiana State ranks 294th (14.6).
The Redbirds rank 71st in assists per game (14.8) while the Sycamores rank 235th (11.1).
Illinois State ranks 10th in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while Indiana State ranks 104th (3.5).
The Sycamores average 34.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 205th in the NCAA. The Redbirds rank 211th in rebounds allowed per game (37.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Sycamores’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.0, up from 0.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Redbirds have scored an average of 67.8 points per game (3.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.8 points per game (3.4 below their season average).
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